Around the city of Aberdeen

Head to the Granite City itself for a day or two and you’ll find yourself – and the kids – spoilt for choice in terms of things to do.

Kids can get hands-on with science at Satrosphere Science Centre, an interactive museum with changing exhibits featuring anything from planetarium shows to demo experiments. Barely ten minutes from Castlegate, this is a good option for a fleeting visit.

Aberdeen Castlegate, Scotland, UK by Steve Tiesdell Legacy…

Older kids will love the gruesome stories and terrifying instruments of torture at the city’s Tolbooth Prison, a unexpectedly attractive 17th century building which is also free to enter. Or for some good old-fashioned seaside fun, get down to Aberdeen Beach, where the stately Victorian promenade will impress the grown-ups and the kids will be endlessly entertained by the rides at Codonas Amusement Park. There are also lots of cafés and restaurants along the seafront from the harbour to the Bridge of Don.

A little further out of Aberdeen lies a faraway land known as Storybrook Glen, an imaginative theme park for kids and fairytale fans everywhere. There are 28 acres of Royal Deeside woods and gardens to traverse, while spotting characters like Old MacDonald or braving the crossing to the Land of the Trolls.

Alternatively, take a picnic up to Doonies Farm out of the city towards Cove village, and enjoy the views overlooking the North Sea. Warm layers are a must on a family visit! The children can bring their own feeding supplies for the seventeen rare breeds of goats, cows and sheep within the farm, including the Norfolk Horn sheep and the vivid orange Tamworth Boar.

Aberdeen Beach, Scotland, UK by Bernt Rostad

Aberdeenshire attractions

Even if you’re here for a few weeks or looking to explore the countryside in depth, you won’t run out of places to visit!

Try the National Trust’s Crathes Castle if you have any history buffs in the party, as this is one of the most well-preserved estates in the country, with a stunning arrangement of gardens and nature trails in the surrounding area. For the more adventurous at heart, there’s also a ‘Go Ape!’ adventure course in the nearby forest at Banchory, where children can climb, scramble and take a zipline through the trees.

Crathes Castle, Scotland, UK by Oyoyoy

Head north to the coast and you’ll find MacDuff Marine Aquarium, a must-see for its showcase tank, which is more than 40,000 litres in capacity and allows visitors to see the kinds of creatures only usually glimpsed on deep-sea missions! Look out for feather stars, lobsters and bright anemones floating around the natural kelp reef.

Or just take the family for a ride on the Alford Valley Railway, a steam train which has been running on the narrow-gauge track to Haughton Park for over 150 years. You can take the 40 minute journey between April and September, chugging through the epic scenery of the Bennachie hills as you go.

Alford Valley Railway by Colin Smith

Aberdeen and its county are extremely well-stocked when it comes to children’s attractions; from farm parks to ancient castles, deep-sea exploration to tree-top adventures. Whether your kids are into science, nature, history or transport, there’s something to keep everyone happy in and around Aberdeen.

What’s your favourite Aberdeenshire attraction?

Ellen Holt lives with her family in Aberdeen. She writes about family travel for a digital marketing agency.

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